Beat goes on for singing policeman

IT'S not unusual to see Sergeant Ian Nicholls keep up with the beat. By day the 45-year-old dad-of-two fights crime in Salford - but by night he has to fight off his adoring female fans when he becomes Tom Jones.

By day the 45-year-old dad-of-two fights crime in Salford - but by night he has to fight off his adoring female fans.

And, sometime soon, the Salford-based policeman could be coming to a screen near you to utter the famous words: "Tonight Matthew I'm going to be . . . Tom Jones".

It all began with success at a karaoke evening.

"A few of the people there were quite insistent that I should do it professionally," says Ian.

He got himself some equipment, put a few songs together and auditioned for an agency.

"Now, I go all over the country. Last year, I got through to the last 60 people on the Stars in Their Eyes series. I've been asked to go back and give it another go for the next series."

The anti-drugs co-ordinator has even made it a bit of a family affair, with his two daughters, Dawn and Amanda cheering him on a functions.

His wife, Sheila makes sure his wig and sideburns are on straight, he's got the typical Tom Jones tan, and he's looking his best.

But he's the first to admit he's had a few scary moments too, with hordes of women throwing their knickers at him, and even crowds of girls waiting outside venues to chase him as he leaves the building.

But he gets a different reaction from colleagues at work.

"Some do tend to call me Tom instead of Ian, but most people, when they find out about it, can't believe it because it is just not me really."